Free Ascent by Viola Grace Page B

and checked out her reflection. The pale blue of her eyes and ivory blonde of her hair stood out in stark contrast to the dark dress.
    Orchit smiled, her black eyes and blue skin made her a poster girl for the Jerican. The lavender hair just completed her look.
    “Come along, the gong is going to sound soon and you need to be in place before the entertainment starts.”
    “Entertainment?” Lili Ann raised her brows.
    “Of course. This is our first harvest. The weather has cooperated, the planet has been generous and we are relieved. We want to show our appreciation to Arengar of Geko 7.”
    “Arengar?”
    “The planet beneath our feet. He offered us a place on his surface and we will be forever grateful to him. This is our way of honouring his generosity.”
    They walked quickly past a gathering crowd and around through a back entrance to a huge building. Orchit handed her off to a security guard and she was soon whisked through more halls and into a curtained area.
    “Wait here, miss. We are a little late, so you will get to take your place as soon as the Avatar finishes speaking.” The guard peeped through the curtain and when applause rang out, he quickly escorted her to her seat at a table between Councillor Hon and one of five other species’ representatives.
    The Jerican were the predominant species, but about five percent were representatives from other worlds.
    A husky whisper from the other non-Jerican next to her made her smile.
    “What are you in for?”
    She chuckled softly and turned her head to face one of the most striking men she had ever come across. Midnight skin and ivory hair made an amazing contrast. His burning red eyes held traces of his emotions and he was definitely amused.
    “Hello. I am here to deliver the last of the equipment. What are you in for?” she kept her voice to a whisper as well.
    “Infrastructure.”
    She grinned at his eye roll. She extended her hand to him. “Lili Ann Baker, transport specialist.”
    “Yavoy. Infrastructure specialist.” He took her hand and pressed a quick kiss to the back of it.
    “Do you know what this evening will entail, Yavoy?”
    “Food, celebration and quite a bit of drinking. Are you up for it?” He quirked one white brow at her and she took it as a challenge.
    “I am if you are.” She looked out at the friendly, pale blue faces and sat out the myriad speeches that preceded the meal.
    It was not the first time that she had been invited to a meal after a long delivery, but usually, she did not have such charming company. Suddenly, she felt a lot more positive about her chances of knocking out the cobwebs this evening.

    Chapter Two
    The first course was a fresh salad topped with marinated fruit and a crisp wine. The alcohol went straight to her head and she felt a distinct relaxing around the neck and shoulders.
    She was just settling into the warm, fuzzy feeling she was experiencing when Yavoy filled her glass again. She laughed. “Are you trying to get me drunk?”
    “No, simply relaxed. You seem far too tense.” He grinned and toasted her.
    A few of the Jerican smiled and whispered together as Lili Ann leaned a little closer to her dinner companion.
    The appetizer was lovely. Flowers were arranged in a pattern that mimicked the mountain range to the south.
    “This is lovely.”
    “Niabbru flowers. Ounce for ounce, they contain more protein than any of the meats on Geko 7.” He smiled and lifted one by the small bit of stem left over. “They also have an intoxicating aroma.” He extended the flower to her and stroked it across her chin.
    She blinked in shock through her slightly fuzzy haze as she realized that she was being seduced. The scent of the flowers was quite heady indeed. Her eyes widened in surprise as her body interpreted the smell as a sensual caress. A man stroking a finger between her thighs could not have had more effect. “What the hell?”
    He laughed. “I was wondering if yours were one of the species seduced